[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township
of East Brunswick 10-23-67 as Ord. No. 67-94 and as Sec. 4.2 of the Revised General Ordinances. Completely
amended 9-13-82 by Ord. No. 82-471; amended 1-28-91 by Ord. No. 91-3; amended entirely 4-22-13 by Ord. No. 13-12.]
WHEREAS, excessive sound is a serious hazard to the public health,
welfare, safety, and the quality of life; and, WHEREAS a substantial
body of science and technology exists by which excessive sound may
be substantially abated; and, WHEREAS, the people have a right to,
and should be ensured of, an environment free from excessive sound,
Now, THEREFORE, it is the policy of the Township of East Brunswick
to prevent excessive sound that may jeopardize the health, welfare,
or safety of the citizens or degrade the quality of life.
This ordinance shall apply to the control of sound originating
from sources within the Township of East Brunswick.
The following words and terms, when used in this ordinance,
shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise. Terms not defined in this ordinance have the same meaning
as those defined in N.J.A.C. 7:29.
Any site preparation, assembly, erection, repair, alteration
or similar action of buildings or structures.
The sound level as measured using the C weighting network
with a sound level meter meeting the standards set forth in ANSI S1.4-1983
or its successors. The unit of reporting is dB(C). The C weighting
network is more sensitive to low frequencies than is the A weighting
network.
Any dismantling, destruction or removal of buildings, structures,
or roadways.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
The work or action necessary at the site of an emergency
to restore or deliver essential services including, but not limited
to, repairing water, gas, electricity, telephone, sewer facilities,
or public transportation facilities, removing fallen trees on public
rights-of-way, dredging navigational waterways, or abating life-threatening
conditions or a state of emergency declared by a governing agency.
Either a single pressure peak or a single burst (multiple
pressure peaks) that has a duration of less than one second.
A violation that is not the result of the purposeful, reckless
or criminally negligent conduct of the violator; and/or the activity
or condition constituting the violation has not been the subject of
an enforcement action by any authorized local, county or state enforcement
agency against the violator within the immediately preceding 12 months
for the same or substantially similar violation.
Any vehicle that is propelled other than by human or animal
power on land.
A properly functioning sound dissipative device or system
for abating the sound on engines or equipment where such devise is
part of the normal configuration of the equipment.
Any building comprising two or more dwelling units, including,
but not limited to, apartments, condominiums, co-ops, multiple family
houses, townhouses, and attached residences.
Any distinct parcel of land that is used for more than one
category of activity. Examples include, but are not limited to:
A commercial, residential, industrial or public service property
having boilers, incinerators, elevators, automatic garage doors, air
conditioners, laundry rooms, utility provisions, or health and recreational
facilities, or other similar devices or areas, either in the interior
or on the exterior of the building, which may be a source of elevated
sound levels at another category on the same distinct parcel of land;
or
A building, which is both commercial (usually on the ground
floor) and residential property, located above, below or otherwise
adjacent to.
An employee of a local, county or regional health agency
which is certified pursuant to the County Environmental Health Act
(N.J.S.A. 26:3A2-21 et seq.) to perform noise enforcement activities
or an employee of a municipality with a Department-approved model
noise control ordinance. All NCOs must receive noise enforcement training
as specified by the Department in N.J.A.C. 7:29 and is currently certified
in noise enforcement. The employee must be acting within his or her
designated jurisdiction and must be authorized to issue a summons.
An employee of a municipality, county or regional health
commission that has a Department-approved model noise control ordinance
and the employee has not received noise enforcement training as specified
by the Department in N.J.A.C. 7:29. However, they are knowledgeable
about their model noise ordinance and enforcement procedures. A Noise
Control Investigator may only enforce sections of the ordinance that
do not require the use of a sound level meter. The employee must be
acting within his or her designated jurisdiction and must be authorized
to issue a summons.
Any sound that can be detected by a NCO or an NCI using his
or her unaided hearing faculties of normal acuity. As an example,
if the sound source under investigation is a portable or vehicular
sound amplification or reproduction device, the detection of the rhythmic
bass component of the music is sufficient to verify plainly audible
sound. The NCO or NCI need not determine the title, specific words,
or the artist performing the song.
Any street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, sidewalk, alley
or easement that is owned, leased, or controlled by a non-governmental
entity.
Any street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, sidewalk, alley
or easement that is owned, leased, or controlled by a governmental
entity.
Any real property or structures thereon that are owned, leased,
or controlled by a governmental entity.
Either (a) the vertical boundary that separates one parcel
of property (i.e., lot and block) from another residential or commercial
property; (b) the vertical and horizontal boundaries of a dwelling
unit that is part of a multi-dwelling unit building; or (c) on a multi-use
property as defined herein, the vertical or horizontal boundaries
between the two portions of the property on which different categories
of activity are being performed (e.g., if the multi-use property is
a building which is residential upstairs and commercial downstairs,
then the real property line would be the interface between the residential
area and the commercial area, or if there is an outdoor sound source
such as an HVAC unit on the same parcel of property, the boundary
line is the exterior wall of the receiving unit).
Note this definition shall not apply to a commercial source
and a commercial receptor which are both located on the same parcel
of property (e.g., a strip mall).
Any device whose primary function is the production of sound,
including, but not limited to, any musical instrument, loudspeaker,
radio, television, digital or analog music player, public address
system or sound-amplifying equipment.
Any device, such as a muffler, baffle, shroud, jacket, enclosure,
isolator, or dampener provided by the manufacturer with the equipment,
or that is otherwise required, that mitigates the sound emissions
of the equipment.
Any day that is not a federal holiday, and beginning on Monday
at 7:00 a.m. and ending on the following Friday at 6:00 p.m.
Beginning on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and ending on the following
Monday at 7:00 a.m.
A.
This noise ordinance applies to sound from the following property
categories:
B.
This noise ordinance applies to sound received at the following property
categories:
C.
Sound from stationary emergency signaling devices shall be regulated
in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.4, except that the testing of the
electromechanical functioning of a stationary emergency signaling
device shall not meet or exceed 10 seconds.
B.
Sound production devices required or sanctioned under the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), FEMA or other government agencies to
the extent that they comply with the noise requirement of the enabling
legislation or regulation. Devices which are exempted under N.J.A.C.
7:29-1.5 shall continue to be exempted.
A.
Noise Control Officers shall have the authority within their designated
jurisdiction to investigate suspected violations of any section of
this ordinance and pursue enforcement activities.
B.
Noise Control Investigators shall have the authority within their
designated jurisdiction to investigate suspected violations of any
section of this ordinance that do not require the use of a sound level
meter (i.e., plainly audible, times of day and/or distance determinations)
and pursue enforcement activities.
C.
Noise Control Officers and Investigators may cooperate with NCOs
and NCIs of an adjacent municipality in enforcing one another's municipal
noise ordinances.
A.
Sound measurements made by a Noise Control Officer shall conform
to the procedures set forth at N.J.A.C. 7:29-2, except that interior
sound level measurements shall also conform with the procedures set
forth in § 147-6(B) of this ordinance and with the definition
of "real property line" as contained herein.
B.
When conducting indoor sound level measurements across a real property
line the measurements shall be taken at least three feet from any
wall, floor or ceiling and all exterior doors and windows may, at
the discretion of the investigator, be closed. The neighborhood residual
sound level shall be measured in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:29-2.9(b)2.
When measuring total sound level, the configuration of the windows
and doors shall be the same and all sound sources within the dwelling
unit must be shut off (e.g., television, stereo). Measurements shall
not be taken in areas which receive only casual use such as hallways,
closets and bathrooms.
[Added 9-14-2020 by Ord.
No. 20-16]
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Chapter 147 shall, upon conviction thereof, be liable for a fine of not to exceed $2,000 for any offense, or imprisonment in the County Jail for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both, unless otherwise specified below.
[Added 9-14-2020 by Ord.
No. 20-16]
A.
Sound reproduction systems creating a noise disturbance. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be subject to the penalties outlined in § 147-6.1.
B.
Noise disturbance across real property boundary.
Offense
|
Fine
|
Court Appearance
|
---|---|---|
First offense in prior 12 months
|
$60
|
No
|
Additional offenses within 12 months of preceding offense
|
Not to exceed $2,000
|
Yes
|
C.
Loudspeakers/PA systems noise violations. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be subject to the penalties outlined in § 147-6.1.
D.
Operating construction equipment during prohibited hours. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be subject to the penalties outlined in § 147-6.1.
E.
(Reserved)
F.
Operation of refuse compacting vehicle during prohibited hours.
Offense
|
Fine
|
Court Appearance
|
---|---|---|
First offense in prior 12 months
|
$60
|
No
|
Additional offenses within 12 months of preceding offense
|
Not to exceed $2,000
|
Yes
|
G.
Allowing animal noise disturbance. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be subject to the penalties outlined in § 147-6.1.
H.
Prohibited hours of trash collection.
Offense
|
Fine
|
Court Appearance
|
---|---|---|
First offense in prior 12 months
|
$60
|
No
|
Additional offenses within 12 months of preceding offense
|
Not to Exceed $2,000
|
Yes
|
A.
No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of
any source of sound on any source property listed in § 147-3(A)
above in such a manner as to create a sound level that equals or exceeds
the sound level limits set forth in Tables I, II or III when measured
at or within the real property line of any of the receiving properties
listed in Tables I, II or III, except as specified in § 147-6(B).
B.
Impulsive Sound
Between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., impulsive sound shall not
equal or exceed 80 decibels. Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., impulsive
sound which occurs less than four times in any hour shall not equal
or exceed 80 decibels. Impulsive sound which repeats four or more
times in any hour shall be measured as continuous sound and shall
meet the requirements as shown in Tables I and II.
TABLE I
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVELS WHEN MEASURED OUTDOORS
| |||
---|---|---|---|
RECEIVING PROPERTY CATEGORY
|
Residential property, or residential portion of a multi-use
property
|
Commercial facility, public service facility, non-residential
portion of a multi-use property, or community service facility
| |
TIME
|
7 a.m.-10 p.m.
|
10 p.m.- 7 a.m.
|
24 hours
|
Maximum A-Weighted sound level standard, dB
|
65
|
50
|
65
|
TABLE II
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVELS WHEN MEASURED INDOORS
| |||
---|---|---|---|
RECEIVING PROPERTY CATEGORY
|
Residential property, or residential portion of a multi-use
property
|
Commercial facility, or non-residential portion of a multi-use
property
| |
TIME
|
7 a.m.-10 p.m.
|
10 p.m.- 7 a.m.
|
24 hours
|
Maximum A-Weighted sound level standard, dB
|
55
|
40
|
55
|
Note: Table II shall only apply when the source and
the receptor are separated by a real property line and they also share
a common or abutting wall, floor or ceiling, or are on the same parcel
of property.
TABLE III
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE OCTAVE BAND SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS IN DECIBELS
| ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Receiving Property Category
|
Residential property, or residential portion of a multi-use
property
OUTDOORS
|
Residential property, or residential portion of a multi-use
property
INDOORS
|
Commercial facility, public service facility, non-residential
portion of a multi-use property, or community service facility
OUTDOORS
|
Commercial facility, or non-residential portion of a multi-use
property
INDOORS
| ||
Octave Band Center Frequency, Hz.
|
Octave Band Sound Pressure Level, dB
|
Octave Band Sound Pressure Level, dB
|
Octave Band Sound Pressure Level, dB
|
Octave Band Sound Pressure Level, dB
| ||
Time
|
7 a.m.-10 p.m.
|
10 p.m.-7 a.m.
|
7 a.m.-10 p.m.
|
10 p.m.-7 a.m.
|
24 Hours
|
24 Hours
|
31.5
|
96
|
86
|
86
|
76
|
96
|
86
|
63
|
82
|
71
|
72
|
61
|
82
|
72
|
125
|
74
|
61
|
64
|
51
|
74
|
64
|
250
|
67
|
53
|
57
|
43
|
67
|
57
|
500
|
63
|
48
|
53
|
38
|
63
|
53
|
1000
|
60
|
45
|
50
|
35
|
60
|
50
|
2000
|
57
|
42
|
47
|
32
|
57
|
47
|
4000
|
55
|
40
|
45
|
30
|
55
|
45
|
8000
|
53
|
38
|
43
|
28
|
53
|
43
|
Note: When octave measurements are made, the sound from
the source must be constant in level and character. If octave band
sound pressure level variations exceed plus or minus 2 dB in the bands
containing the principal source frequencies, discontinue the measurement.
No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation
of any sound production device in such a manner that it crosses a
property line and raises the total sound levels above the neighborhood
residual sound level by more than the permissible sound level limits
set forth in Table IV when measured within the residence of a complainant
according to the measurement protocol in § 147-6(B) of this
ordinance. These sound level measurements shall be conducted with
the sound level meter set for "C" weighting, "fast" response.
TABLE IV
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INCREASE IN TOTAL SOUND LEVELS WITHIN A
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
| |
---|---|
Week nights 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.
Weekend nights 11:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
|
All other times
|
3 dB(C)
|
6 dB(C)
|
The following standards shall apply to the activities or sources
of sound set forth below:
A.
Excluding emergency work, power tools, home maintenance tools, landscaping
and/or yard maintenance equipment used by a residential property owner
or tenant shall not be operated between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and
8:00 a.m., unless such activities can meet the applicable limits set
forth in Tables I, II or III. At all other times the limits set forth
in Tables I, II or III do not apply. All motorized equipment used
in these activities shall be operated with a muffler and/or sound
reduction device.
B.
Excluding emergency work, power tools, landscaping and/or yard maintenance
equipment used by nonresidential operators (e.g. commercial operators,
public employees) shall not be operated on a residential, commercial,
industrial or public (e.g. golf course, parks, athletic fields) property
between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on weekdays, or between
the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends or federal holidays,
unless such activities can meet the limits set forth in Tables I,
II or III. At all other times the limits set forth in Tables I, II
or III do not apply. All motorized equipment used in these activities
shall be operated with a muffler and/or sound reduction device.
C.
All construction and demolition activity, excluding emergency work,
shall not be performed between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
on weekdays, or between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends
and federal holidays, unless such activities can meet the limits set
forth in Tables I, II or III. At all other times the limits set forth
in Tables I, II or III do not apply. All motorized equipment used
in construction and demolition activity shall be operated with a muffler
and/or sound reduction device.
D.
Motorized snow removal equipment shall be operated with a muffler
and/or a sound reduction device when being used for snow removal.
At all other times the limits set forth in Tables I, II or III do
not apply.
E.
All interior and exterior burglar alarms of a building or motor vehicle
must be activated in such a manner that the burglar alarm terminates
its operation within five (5) minutes for continuous airborne sound
and fifteen (15) minutes for intermittent sound after it has been
activated. At all other times the limits set forth in Tables I, II
or III do not apply.
F.
Self-contained, portable, non-vehicular music or sound production
devices shall not be operated on a public space or public right-of-way
in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet
in any direction from the operator between the hours of 8:00 a.m.
and 10:00 p.m. Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., sound,
operated on a public space or public right-of-way, from such equipment
shall not be plainly audible at a distance of 25 feet in any direction
from the operator.
G.
It shall be unlawful for any property owner or tenant to allow any
domesticated or caged animal to create a sound across a real property
line which unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort,
and repose of any resident, or to refuse or intentionally fail to
cease the unreasonable noise when ordered to do so by a Noise Control
Officer or Noise Control Investigator. Prima facie evidence of a violation
of this section shall include but not be limited to:
(1)
Vocalizing (howling, yelping, barking, squawking, etc.) for five
(5) minutes without interruption, defined as an average of four or
more vocalizations per minute in that period; or,
(2)
Vocalizing for twenty (20) minutes intermittently, defined as an
average of two vocalizations or more per minute in that period.
It is an affirmative defense under this subsection that the
dog or other animal was intentionally provoked to bark or make any
other noise.
Violation of each paragraph of this section shall be considered
purposeful and therefore non-minor violations.
A.
No person shall remove or render inoperative, or cause to be removed
or rendered inoperative or less effective than originally equipped,
other than for the purposes of maintenance, repair, or replacement,
of any device or element of design incorporated in any motor vehicle
for the purpose of noise control. No person shall operate a motor
vehicle or motorcycle which has been so modified. A vehicle not meeting
these requirements shall be deemed in violation of this provision
if it is operated stationary or in motion in any public space or public
right-of-way.
B.
No motorcycle shall be operated stationary or in motion unless it
has a muffler that complies with and is labeled in accordance with
the Federal Noise Regulations under 40 CFR Part 205.
C.
Personal or commercial vehicular music amplification or reproduction
equipment shall not be operated in such a manner that it is plainly
audible at distance of 25 feet in any direction from the operator
between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
D.
Personal or commercial vehicular music amplification or reproduction
equipment shall not be operated in such a manner that is plainly audible
at a distance of 50 feet in any direction from the operator between
the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
A.
Violation of any provision of this ordinance shall be cause for a
Notice of Violation (NOV) or a Notice of Penalty Assessment (NOPA)
document to be issued to the violator by the Noise Control Officer
or Noise Control Investigator.
B.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject
to a civil penalty not to exceed $2,000 for any offense. If the violation
is of a continuing nature, each day during which it occurs shall constitute
an additional, separate, and distinct offense.
[Amended 9-14-2020 by Ord. No. 20-16]
C.
Upon identification of a violation of this Ordinance the Noise Control
Officer or Noise Control Investigator shall issue an enforcement document
to the violator. The enforcement document shall identify the condition
or activity that constitutes the violation and the specific provision
of this Ordinance that has been violated. It shall also indicate whether
the violator has a period of time to correct the violation before
a penalty is sought.
D.
If the violation is deemed by the Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator to be a minor violation (as defined in § 147-2 of this ordinance) a NOV shall be issued to the violator.
(1)
The document shall indicate that the purpose of the NOV is intended
to serve as a notice to warn the responsible party/violator of the
violation conditions in order to provide them with an opportunity
to voluntarily investigate the matter and voluntarily take corrective
action to address the identified violation.
(2)
The NOV shall identify the time period (up to 90 days) pursuant to
the Grace Period Law, N.J.S.A. 13:1D-125 et seq. where the responsible
party's/violators' voluntary action can prevent a formal enforcement
action with penalties issued. It shall be noted that the NOV does
not constitute a formal enforcement action, a final agency action
or a final legal determination that a violation has occurred. Therefore,
the NOV may not be appealed or contested.
E.
If the violation is deemed by the Noise Control Officer or Noise
Control Investigator to be a non-minor violation, the violator shall
be notified that if the violation is not immediately corrected a NOPA
with a civil penalty not to exceed $2,000. If a non-minor violation
is immediately corrected, a notice of violation without a civil penalty
shall still be issued to document the violation. If the violation
occurs again (within 12 months of the initial violation), a NOPA shall
be issued regardless of whether the violation is immediately corrected
or not.
[Amended 9-14-2020 by Ord. No. 20-16]
F.
The violator may request from the Noise Control Officer or Noise
Control Investigator, an extension of the compliance deadline in the
enforcement action. The Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator
shall have the option to approve any reasonable request for an extension
(not to exceed 180 days) if the violator can demonstrate that a good
faith effort has been made to achieve compliance. If an extension
is not granted and the violation continues to exist after the grace
period time ends, a NOPA shall be issued.
G.
The recipient of a NOPA shall be entitled to a hearing in a municipal
court having jurisdiction to contest such action.
H.
The Noise Control Officer or Noise Control Investigator may seek
injunctive relief if the responsible party does not remediate the
violation within the period of time specified in the NOPA issued.
I.
Any claim for a civil penalty may be compromised and settled based
upon the following factors: